Students

Experiential Learning

Practical Experience Beyond the Classroom

Healthcare worker and student walking down hall of hospital.

Central to every profession is its practice, so we offer students hands-on learning opportunities across diverse settings. 

We have a long history of collaborating with agencies and organizations at the local, state, national and international level. Our faculty collaborate on research and service projects that provide valuable opportunities for students. In addition, our professional staff are continually building partnerships with new entities willing to host our students for professional, hands-on experience.

This real-world experience gives students a competitive edge in the marketplace and academia.

Undergraduate Opportunities

Undergraduate students gain real-world experience through volunteer projects, research, internships and student organizations. During their senior year, every undergraduate Public Health Sciences and Health Services Administration student is required to complete an applied field experience in a local or regional agency or institution where they can put their classroom lessons to work. In addition to the field placements, all undergraduate students are required to complete a minimum of 25 hours of community service by the start of their senior year, documented through iServe in the WVU Office of Service and Learning. Getting involved in the Student Association of Public Health or the Health Administration Student Association is also a great way to get connected to service opportunities.

Graduate Opportunities

Public Health graduate programs offer both research-intensive and applied practice curricula that emphasize individualized planning and cross-disciplinary experiences to help students build an educational program that supports their career goals.

All Master of Public Health students are required to complete a minimum of 180 contact hours in an applied practice experience with a public health-related agency or organization. Each experience is supervised by an approved preceptor who serves as a professional role model and mentor. In addition to the applied practice experience, MPH students engage with health and other professionals through integrated and interprofessional learning experiences throughout their curriculum.

Master of Health Administration students are required to complete a robust practice-based internship in a healthcare organization or similar.  The internship provides students the opportunity to develop their practical skills and professional competencies by applying the knowledge and techniques gained from their MHA courses. In addition to the internship, MHA students engage with health and other professionals through interprofessional learning experiences and a graduate seminar throughout their curriculum.

Our Partners

Some examples of our partner organizations include:

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